Chairman of the NDC Youth Manifesto Committee, Julian Mawuse Cobbinah, has highlighted how the party intends to curb youth unemployment through its Adwumawura Programme.
He has assured that beneficiaries of the Programme will be selected based on merit, free from politicisation.
The initiative aims to support the creation of at least 10,000 youth-led businesses annually to tackle the rising youth unemployment in the country.
Mr Cobbinah, in an interview on Accra-based Channel One TV on Sunday, May 4, 2025, stressed that the policy will not only provide employment but also boost the private sector to enhance economic growth.
“The John Mahama government believes it can help create 10,000 new businesses every year, created by young people,” he reiterated a statement from President Mahama during the launch of the Adwumawura Programme.
Cobbinah pointed out that the initiative will be guided by a credible regime that will reward meritocracy.
“Only deserving and qualified individuals will benefit. We must move away from a system where business support becomes a partisan reward,” he underscored, adding that “there will be a credible regime and process in the awarding of support.”
The initiative, according to Cobbinah, will constitute a core part of the government’s Adwumawura programme which targets the youth within the age range of 18 to 35.
He added that the right entrepreneurs would receive support from the Programme to enable sustainable and inclusive growth.
President John Dramani Mahama officially launched the Adwumawura Programme at the Prempeh Assembly Hall in Kumasi on Monday, April 28, 2025.
Beneficiaries will receive comprehensive assistance, including skills training, mentorship, access to start-up capital, and equipment. This holistic approach aims to ensure the sustainability and success of new businesses.
Speaking at the event, President Mahama emphasised the importance of the programme in tackling youth unemployment, which he described as one of Ghana’s most pressing challenges.
He highlighted the government’s commitment to creating decent and sustainable jobs for young people, aligning with the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s broader agenda to foster economic growth and innovation.
The initiative is backed by a GH₵100 million allocation from the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the government.
In addition to the Adwumawura Programme, the government plans to roll out complementary initiatives such as the National Apprenticeship Programme, offering free technical and vocational training to further support the youth.
The Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, also addressed the gathering, urging young people to take full advantage of the programme to build a brighter future for themselves and the nation.
He reiterated the government’s dedication to empowering the youth and creating an environment where entrepreneurship can thrive.
The launch of the Adwumawura Programme marks a significant step in the government’s efforts to combat unemployment and position the youth as key drivers of national development.
Launch of ‘Adwumawura’: This is your moment, embrace it – Opare Addo tells youth
